Fakin' It

I'm Nuts About You!

You never know the impact you are going to leave on people. What will they walk away with after knowing you?

 I know a young girl and her grandpa and they call each other  "Nut" and "Squirrel". I'm not sure why but I think it's absolutely adorable. Before if I ever saw something with nuts and squirrels on it, it probably wouldn't have even registered in my conscience. But now, I always think of the sweet grandpa-granddaughter combo and smile. And who doesn't need extra smiles in their day.

 How could you not love these wood bookends from Graphic Spaces Wood? They are so adorable and would be the perfect way to feature a few of your favorite children's books. Not nuts about squirrels, check out some of her other darling woodland creatures!

 
If I were a squirrel on my deathbed, I think I would probably ask to go to Acorn Heaven. And that just happens to be the name of the shop that created this super sweet squirrel and nut heart necklace keepsake. Wouldn't this be the perfect gift for that grandpa to buy his granddaughter? Hint! Hint!

 Uh Oh! Curry the squirrel needs your help to put together his magnetic tree and then gather nuts for winter hibernation. Isn't this a great pre-school teaching tool? You can incorporate storytelling, counting and science with this organic tree puzzle from Wooden Moose Creations.

 Wouldn't this little felt snap pouch from Needlings make a great stocking stuffer? Perfect for small electronics or some cash and lip gloss. It's is definitely cute enough to be carried on its own. I love how the squirrel is on one side and the nut on the other.

I could totally see this squirrel and acorn ceramic tile in my own decor. L'esperance even makes it in 3 other beautiful color combinations. This one is definitely my fave!

Last but not least is this sterling silver acorn squirrel ring from Twinklebird. It scores some serious points on the cuteness scale, not to mention the lethal blow scale. Can you imagine getting punched in the face with this? Who knew self-defense could be so stylish?

Happy Shopping and Have a Great Weekend!

100th Post-aversary!!!

Wow I can't believe this is my 10oth post! Who knew there was so much in my head that needed to be released? Although I am sure some of it might have been better kept to myself . I thought it would be fun to do a little look back.

I have found it so interesting to see what readers like or respond to the most. For example, my most read post is definitely the Snickers Salad. I am starting to learn that simplicity is key to a successful post but what fun is life if you can't complicate it a little?

 

My first post had kind of a lot going on with a President's Day Muffin Tin Meal and both children's book reviews and an adult book review. I was really proud of it even thought I think less than ten people have read that post. So if you missed it, here is a link to my first ever post!

 

My favorite post has to be Nature Color Art. It got a lot of good responses and was totally spontaneous. Have you ever seen the cartoon Phineas and Pherb? This was my Phineas and Pherb moment where I said "Boys! I know what we're gonna do today!" I also realized the need for more activities related to boys and that lead me to start my Scout Mom Bog. 

 
 
Thank you so much to all my readers and all the fabulous blogs that have featured me! I started this journey because I felt like something was missing from my life. I love my children and my husband more that words can say  but I have always been a creative soul with a love for words. This has provided me with the opportunity to be a better wife and mother by challenging me to use my God given talents in a new way. I hope you are still reading when I hit my 200th post.

I would love to hear what your favorite post has been. Leave me a comment!

Becky @ Fakin It 

Melty Crayon Rock Craft

Do you know what I hate most about winter? The TV! I feel like we are so couped up and run out of things to do and just turn to the tv to entertain us. Well I am going to make a real effort this year not to let that happen. Even if I have to put on my battle gear to fight the rest of the family off the remote control.

One against four, I bet your wondering how I can overcome those odds. It's simple. I have a secret weapon. ROCKS! No I am not going to throw rocks at my family--although the thought has crossed my mind from time to time.

I'm telling you now so you and your family can take a few hikes while the weather is still bearable. Gather some cool rocks. The lighter in color, and smoother, the better. Then store them away until the kids get their first snow day off school.

 
Put your clean dry rocks in a 300 degree oven for about 10 - 15. Not to hot or to long. My husband tells me they will explode. And while I have dreamt of blowing up my oven so I don't have to cook dinner anymore, I choose to take the more mature and responsible approach.

 

 
While your rocks are becoming semi-explosive get out your old and broken crayons. We save all those crayons they give you at restaurants or that the kids bring home left-over from the school year. Take off the wrappers and set aside for a future craft. You'd be surprised how many different activities these crayons come in handy for.

 
Turn off the oven but keep all the rocks inside except for the ones you are working with. I use tongs to place each rock on a work surface, aluminum foil, paper plate, wax paper, etc... Touch a crayon to the rocks and watch it instantly melt and ooze all over.

  
I got this idea from Family Fun Magazine a few years ago. They did it with Easter Eggs and that is the only way we decorate our eggs now. So much fun!! Me and a million other people also figured out  you could do it with rocks as I have seen lots of other tutorials out there.  

Now, go take a hike!! 

This post is dedicated to my wonderful friend "K" who thought I had been abducted by aliens since it's been so long since my last post. Love ya "K"!

Three Ingredient Strawberry Sherbert- the Way Grandma Makes It

Let me tell you about strawberry picking this last week. My wonderful father-in law called and thought it would be something fun to do with the kids. I agreed, and was anxious to emphasize the educational components. Like how produce isn't just born on the shelves in the grocery store. And how even though you (my kids) lost the thrill of the adventure after about 10 minutes, there are people who do this for a living all day long, every day in much hotter weather than we had.

 Cue the music: Strawberry Fields Forever by the Beatles

 

Those were my good intentions. But here's what really happened. I sorta got burned out after ten minutes too until I realized that if you crawl along the ground and lift up the plants, you can find the really good berries. Sounds simple enough right? Except I was wearing shorts and my knees on the bare ground hurt as I trudged along. That didn't stop me from ordering my kids down on all fours to do the same. Plus, not only was I wearing shorts but I was wearing low waisted shorts that were too big in the waist, thus giving anyone behind me an eye-full. Did  I mention that my shorts were a super light tan, almost white? Yeah, so when I needed a break and sat down on that somewhat exposed behind, I sat on a strawberry leaving a big red splotch where no woman wants a big red splotch. Grace and poise have never been my strongpoints. But it was all worth it! Check out my loot!

 Now, what to do with all those beautiful berries? How about Grandma's super simple three ingredient strawberry sherbert!

 Pour 4 cups berries in Cuisine Art or blender. Add 2 cups sugar and 2 cups buttermilk. Puree.

Pour into freezable containers and place in freezer. For smoother sherbert, blend one more time after it as all been frozen then refreeze.

You can use a melon baller to make nice little scoops and I added a sprig of pinepple mint which freshens the flavor even more. 
 

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Patriotic Father's Day Sun Dial

Happy Father's Day to all the amazing Dads and Grandpas!

We have been studying Astronomy over at my other blog Scout Mom which gave me the idea to make a sun dial. Since Father's Day was just around the corner and my DH is an outdoorsy guy, I thought this would be a great gift for him. Then he wouldn't need to come back inside to check the time. My boys said that their dad's favorite colors were red and blue and since fourth of July is also coming up, we decided to make it a patriotic red, white and blue.

 
Supplies needed include a terra cotta pot, wood circle, wood stars, dowl rods and E-600 glue.

 Center pot on top of wood circle and trace the smaller circle at the bottom of the pot.

Move the wood circle to the top of the pot right side up and drill a hole big enough to fit dowel rod.

We spray-painted the pot, circle and dowel red and then the stars white. We let that dry overnight before continuing.

Day 2 it was raining so we had to paint in the garage. We used blue and white acrylic paints.

  
The blue stripes on the disc represent north, south, east and west and also 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00. The 12:00 stripe should be facing north to get the dial to work correctly. Turn the pot upside down and squirt E-600 glue around the top edges then press the circular disc down on top.  Slide the dowel down through both holes and fill in the space with a little more glue to hold that in place. Next you need to put a stipe of glue on the back center of each star and place them back to with the dowel inbetween.

 
Whether your Dad is your HERO, or you think he is a Super Star, this will make a great gift!

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